Trailer having reduced contamination

ABSTRACT

The trailer includes an exterior drainage system to prevent unwanted stains or blemishes caused by precipitation on the trailer. The trailer includes a main body that has an exterior wall with a first end and an opposing second end. The trailer also includes a bulkhead provided proximate the first end of the main body. The trailer also includes at least one interior chamber defined by the main body and adapted to carry a load. The trailer also includes a drainage system provided on the trailer. The drainage system includes a drainage portion extending outwardly beyond the first end of the exterior wall, said drainage portion being adapted to direct precipitation away from the bulkhead and towards a ground surface over which the trailer travels.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to tank trailers. More particularly,the present disclosure is directed to exterior assemblies for a trailer.Specifically, the present disclosure is directed to an exterior drainagesystem for a trailer to prevent unwanted stains or blemishes caused byprecipitation on the trailer.

BACKGROUND

Tank trailers and other similar enclosed trailers experience differenttypes of weather and precipitation depending on the climate and regionin which the tank trailers are operated. Frequently, a trough or asimilar structure is provided on a top portion of these trailers forvarious purposes based on the type of tank trailer. The trough orsimilar structure tends to accumulate rainwater or other types ofprecipitation therein. Accumulation of rainwater and other precipitationinside of such troughs may add unnecessary weight to the tank trailer.This unnecessary weight effectively displaces weight of some of the loadthe trailer could be carrying, thereby reducing the cost effectivenessof the trailer. The accumulated precipitation may also ultimatelycorrode part of the tank structure, thereby shortening the life of thetrailer.

During operation of the tank trailer, precipitation accumulated in thetrough or other structure may spill out of the trough and onto theexterior surface of the trailer. Over time, such spillage may causeunwanted stains or grime to build up on the trailer body giving thetrailer an aesthetically displeasing appearance. Furthermore, theseunwanted stains may leave the impression that the trailer's load isleaking from the tank. Since many tank trailers carry hazardous loads,the impression that hazardous materials are leaking from the tank maycause unnecessary concern to members of the public.

To combat this issue of spillage and staining of the trailer body, draintubes have been proposed in the prior art to reduce the accumulation ofprecipitation in tank trailer troughs. The proposed drain tubes arerouted internally through the load-carrying interior compartments of thetrailer or are wrapped around the exterior skin of the trailer body. Thedrain tubes are provided to allow accumulated water or liquidprecipitation (i.e., melted ice, melted sleet, melted snow, etc.) todrain from the trailer's trough towards the ground surface. However, itis not uncommon for such drain tubes to become obstructed and thereforethe drainage of liquid from the troughs is halted or slowed down. Forexample, a drain tube may become clogged or obstructed by debris orvegetation becoming wedged or trapped inside of the drain tube. In otherinstances drain tubes may be obstructed by snow or ice. If water istrapped in the drain tubes and the outside temperature drops to a pointthat the water freezes, that freezing may cause cracking or bursting ofthe drain tube. If the drain tube is routed through an interiorcompartment of the tank trailer, such bursting may cause water or debristo contaminate any load carried in the interior compartment.

SUMMARY

The false bulkhead assembly disclosed herein is provided to effectivelyhide a front bulkhead or a rear bulkhead of a tank trailer. The falsebulkhead is provided to hide from public view any staining from theoverflow of accumulated precipitation from a trough or other structureon the tank body. The false bulkhead is also provided to drainaccumulated precipitation exterior to an interior compartment of a tankbody holding load and/or cargo. As such, the false bulkhead assemblydisclosed herein addresses some of the inadequacies of previously knownassemblies for trailer draining systems and hiding and/or maskingoverflow of accumulated precipitation on trailers.

In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure mayprovide a trailer. The trailer includes a main body that has an exteriorwall with a first end and an opposing second end. The trailer alsoincludes a bulkhead that is provided proximate the first end of the mainbody. The trailer also includes at least one interior chamber defined bythe main body and adapted to carry a load. The trailer also includes adrainage system provided on the trailer. The drainage system includes adrainage portion extending outwardly beyond the first end of theexterior wall, said drainage portion being adapted to directprecipitation away from the bulkhead and towards a ground surface overwhich the trailer travels.

This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide that the drainage system further comprises a trough operablyengaged with the main body that extends between the first and secondends of the main body, wherein the trough is configured to hold andconvey the precipitation from the main body to the drainage portion.This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide that the drainage system further comprises at least one upperopening defined in an upper end of the drainage portion proximate to thefirst end of the main body, wherein the at least one upper opening is influid communication with the trough, and wherein the at least one upperopening is configured to drain the precipitation from the trough throughthe main body exterior to the interior chamber of the main body. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further providethat the drainage system further comprises at least one opposing loweropening defined in a lower end of the drainage portion proximate to thefirst end of the trailer, wherein the at least one lower opening isconfigured to drain the precipitation from the upper end of the drainageportion downwardly to the lower end of the drainage portion exterior tothe interior chamber of the main body. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further provide that the drainagesystem further comprises a removable false bulkhead operably engagedwith the drainage portion, wherein the false bulkhead is independentfrom the bulkhead of the main body. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further comprise a first material that makesthe main body; and a second material that makes the removable falsebulkhead, wherein the second material is different than the firstmaterial. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther provide that the main body is made of aluminum; and wherein theremovable false bulkhead is made of stainless steel. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide that themain body is made of aluminum; and wherein the removable false bulkheadis made of a fabric material. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide that the false bulkhead furthercomprises a base plate; and a circumferential lip extending laterallyfrom the base plate towards the drainage portion, wherein thecircumferential lip is adapted to be operably engaged with an interiorsurface of the drainage portion. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide that the drainage systemfurther comprises at least one locking mechanism operably engaging thefalse bulkhead with the drainage portion, wherein the at least onelocking mechanism is adapted to maintain the false bulkhead with thedrainage portion. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further provide that the drainage system furthercomprises an exterior chamber defined between the bulkhead of the mainbody and the false bulkhead, wherein the exterior chamber is in fluidcommunication with external environment via the at least one upperopening and the at least one lower opening, and wherein the exteriorchamber is isolated from the interior chamber of the main body. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further providethat the false bulkhead further comprises a plurality of aperturesdefined in the false bulkhead, wherein each aperture of the plurality ofapertures is adapted to receive and house an associated brake light of aplurality of brake lights to operably engage with the false bulkhead.This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide that the drainage system further comprises a plurality of upperopenings defined in the upper end of the drainage portion, wherein theplurality of upper openings is in fluid communication with the trough,and wherein the plurality of upper openings is configured to drain theprecipitation from the trough through the main body exterior to theinterior chamber of the main body. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide that the drainage systemfurther comprises a plurality of opposing lower openings defined in thelower end of the drainage portion, wherein the plurality of loweropenings is aligned with the plurality of upper openings, and whereinthe plurality of opposing lower openings is configured to drain theprecipitation from the upper end of the drainage portion downwardly tothe lower end of the drainage portion exterior to the interior chamberof the main body. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further comprise a conduit operably engaged with thedrainage portion; wherein the conduit is adapted to isolate electricalwiring and mechanical lines of the trailer from the precipitationdrained by the drainage system inside of the exterior chamber. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further providethat the drainage system further comprises an upper through-hole definedin the upper end of the drainage portion; and an opposing lowerthrough-hole defined in the lower end of the drainage portion, whereinthe lower through-hole is coaxial with the upper through-hole; whereinthe upper through-hole and the lower through-hole are configured tohouse and receive the conduit. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide that the drainage systemfurther comprises at least one top opening defined in an upper end ofthe drainage portion proximate to the second end of the trailer, whereinthe at least one top opening is in fluid communication with the trough,and wherein the at least one top opening is configured to drain theprecipitation from the trough through the trailer exterior to theinterior chamber of the main body. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide that the drainage systemfurther comprises at least one opposing bottom opening defined in alower end of the drainage portion proximate to the second end of thetrailer, wherein the at least one bottom opening is configured to drainthe precipitation from the upper end of the drainage portion downwardlyto the lower end of the drainage portion exterior to the interiorchamber of the main body. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further provide that the drainage system furthercomprises a second removable false bulkhead operably engaged with thedrainage portion, wherein the second false bulkhead is independent froman opposing second bulkhead of the main body. This exemplary embodimentor another exemplary embodiment may further provide that the drainagesystem further comprises a second exterior chamber defined between thesecond bulkhead of the main body and the second false bulkhead, whereinthe second exterior chamber is in fluid communication with externalenvironment via the at least one top opening and the at least one bottomopening, and wherein the second exterior chamber is isolated from theinterior chamber of the main body. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide that the drainage systemfurther comprises a bead of epoxy operably engaging the false bulkheadwith the drainage portion, wherein the bead of epoxy is adapted toprevent escapement of the precipitation. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further provide that the drainageportion further comprises a first rail operably engaged with thedrainage portion, wherein the first rail is fluid communication with afirst slot formed in the trough, and wherein the first rail is adaptedto direct the precipitation from the trough, via the first slot, andaway from the main body at a distance away the main body; and anopposing second rail operably engaged with the drainage portion, whereinthe second rail is fluid communication with a second slot formed in thetrough, and wherein the second rail is adapted to direct theprecipitation from the trough, via the second slot, and away from themain body at the distance away the main body.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure mayprovide a trailer. The trailer includes a main body having an exteriorwall with a first end and an opposing second end. The trailer includes abulkhead provided proximate the first end of the main body. The trailerincludes at least one interior chamber defined by the main body andadapted to carry a load. The trailer includes a drainage system providedon the trailer. The drainage system includes a drainage portionextending outwardly beyond the first end of the exterior wall, saiddrainage portion being adapted to direct precipitation away from thebulkhead and towards a ground surface over which the trailer travels.The drainage system includes a trough operably engaged with the mainbody that extends between the first and second ends of the main body,wherein the trough is configured to hold and convey the precipitationfrom the main body to the drainage portion. The drainage system includesa removable false bulkhead operably engaged with the drainage portion,wherein the false bulkhead is independent from the bulkhead of the mainbody.

In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosuremay provide a trailer. The trailer includes a main body having a frontbulkhead, an opposing rear bulkhead, an exterior wall operably engagedwith the front and rear bulkheads, and at least one interior chamberdefined collectively by the front bulkhead, the rear bulkhead, and theexterior wall, said at least one interior chamber being adapted to carrya load. The trailer includes a removable false bulkhead operably engagedwith the main body, said false bulkhead being located a distance awayfrom one of the front bulkhead and the rear bulkhead.

This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furthercomprise an extension portion operably engaged with the exterior wall;wherein the extension portion extends outwardly away from one of thefront bulkhead and the rear bulkhead. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further provide that the false bulkheadfurther comprises a base plate; and a circumferential lip extendinglaterally from the base plate towards the extension portion, wherein aportion of the circumferential lip is adapted to be operably engagedwith the extension portion. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide that the trailer furthercomprises at least one locking mechanism operably engaging the firstfalse bulkhead with the extension portion, wherein the at least onelocking mechanism is adapted to maintain the false bulkhead with theextension portion. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further provide that the drainage system furthercomprises an exterior chamber defined between the false bulkhead and oneof the front bulkhead and the rear bulkhead for concealing drainage ofprecipitation from a top end of the main body to a bottom end of themain body; wherein the exterior chamber is defined exterior to theinterior chamber of the main body. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide that the false bulkhead furthercomprises a plurality of apertures defined in the base plate, whereineach aperture of the plurality of apertures is adapted to receive andhouse an associated brake light of a plurality of brake lights tooperably engage with the false bulkhead. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further comprise a first set ofattachment openings defined in the extension portion; a second set ofattachment opening defined in a circumferential lip of the falsebulkhead; and a set of attachment mechanisms operably engaging the falsebulkhead with the extension portion via the first and second set ofattachment openings. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further comprise a bead of epoxy operably engaging thefalse bulkhead with the main body; wherein the bead of epoxy is adaptedto prevent the escapement of precipitation being drained exterior to theinterior chamber. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further comprise an opposing second extension portionoperably engaged with the exterior wall; wherein the extension portionextends outwardly away from one of the front bulkhead and the rearbulkhead. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther comprise a removable second false bulkhead operably engaged withthe second extension portion, said false bulkhead being located a seconddistance away from one of the front bulkhead and the rear bulkhead. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furthercomprise a second exterior chamber defined between the second falsebulkhead and one of the front bulkhead and the rear bulkhead forconcealing drainage of precipitation from a top end of the main body tothe bottom end of the main body; wherein the second exterior chamber isdefined exterior to the interior chamber of the main body. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furthercomprise a first material that makes the main body; and a secondmaterial that makes the removable false bulkhead, wherein the secondmaterial is different than the first material. This exemplary embodimentor another exemplary embodiment may further provide that the main bodyis made of aluminum; and wherein the removable false bulkhead is made ofstainless steel. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further provide that the main body is made of aluminum;and wherein the removable false bulkhead is made of a fabric material.

In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosuremay provide a trailer. The trailer includes a main body having a frontbulkhead, an opposing rear bulkhead, an exterior wall operably engagedwith the front and rear bulkheads, and at least one interior chamberdefined collectively by the front bulkhead, the rear bulkhead, and theexterior wall, said at least one interior chamber being adapted to carrya load. The trailer includes a removable false bulkhead operably engagedwith the main body, said false bulkhead being located a distance awayfrom one of the front bulkhead and the rear bulkhead. The trailerincludes an extension portion operably engaged with the exterior wall;wherein the extension portion extends outwardly away from one of thefront bulkhead and the rear bulkhead.

This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide that the false bulkhead further comprises a base plate; and acircumferential lip extending laterally from the base plate towards theextension portion, wherein a portion of the circumferential lip isadapted to be operably engaged with the extension portion. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furthercomprise that the trailer further comprises at least one lockingmechanism operably engaging the first false bulkhead with the extensionportion, wherein the at least one locking mechanism is adapted tomaintain the false bulkhead with the extension portion. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide that thedrainage system further comprises an exterior chamber defined betweenthe false bulkhead and one of the front bulkhead and the rear bulkheadfor concealing drainage of precipitation from a top end of the main bodyto a bottom end of the main body; wherein the exterior chamber isdefined exterior to the interior chamber of the main body. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further providethat the false bulkhead further comprises a plurality of aperturesdefined in the base plate, wherein each aperture of the plurality ofapertures is adapted to receive and house an associated brake light of aplurality of brake lights to operably engage with the false bulkhead.This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furthercomprise a first set of attachment openings defined in the extensionportion; a second set of attachment opening defined in a circumferentiallip of the false bulkhead; and a set of attachment mechanisms operablyengaging the false bulkhead with the extension portion via the first andsecond set of attachment openings. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further comprise a bead of epoxy operablyengaging the false bulkhead to the main body; wherein the bead of epoxyis adapted to prevent the escapement of precipitation being drainedexterior to the interior chamber. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further comprise an opposing second extensionportion operably engaged with the exterior wall; wherein the extensionportion extends outwardly away from one of the front bulkhead and therear bulkhead; a removable second false bulkhead operably engaged withthe second extension portion, said false bulkhead being located a seconddistance away from one of the front bulkhead and the rear bulkhead; anda second exterior chamber defined between the second false bulkhead andone of the front bulkhead and the rear bulkhead for concealing drainageof precipitation from a top end of the main body to the bottom end ofthe main body; wherein the second exterior chamber is defined exteriorto the interior chamber of the main body.

In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosuremay provide a trailer. The trailer includes a main body having a frontbulkhead, an opposing rear bulkhead, an exterior wall operably engagedwith the front and rear bulkheads, and at least one interior chamberdefined collectively by the front bulkhead, the rear bulkhead, and theexterior wall, said at least one interior chamber being adapted to carrya load. The trailer includes a removable false bulkhead operably engagedwith the main body, said false bulkhead being located a distance awayfrom one of the front bulkhead and the rear bulkhead. The trailerincludes an extension portion operably engaged with the exterior wall;wherein the extension portion extends outwardly away from one of thefront bulkhead and the rear bulkhead. The trailer includes an exteriorchamber defined between the false bulkhead and one of the front bulkheadand the rear bulkhead for concealing drainage of precipitation from atop end of the main body to a bottom end of the main body; wherein theexterior chamber is defined exterior to the interior chamber of the mainbody.

This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide that the main body is made of aluminum; and wherein the firstfalse bulkhead is made of stainless steel. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further provide that the main body ismade of aluminum; and wherein the first false bulkhead is made of fabricmaterial. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther comprise an extension portion operably engaged with the exteriorwall; wherein the extension portion extends outwardly away from one ofthe front bulkhead and the rear bulkhead. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further provide that the false bulkheadfurther comprises a base plate; and a circumferential lip extendinglaterally from the base plate towards the extension portion, wherein aportion of the circumferential lip is adapted to be operably engagedwith the extension portion. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide that the trailer furthercomprises at least one attachment mechanism operably engaging the firstfalse bulkhead with the extension portion, wherein the at least onelocking mechanism is adapted to maintain the false bulkhead with theextension portion. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further provide that the drainage system furthercomprises an exterior chamber defined between the false bulkhead and oneof the front bulkhead and the rear bulkhead for concealing drainage ofprecipitation from a top end of the main body to a bottom end of themain body; wherein the exterior chamber is defined exterior to theinterior chamber of the main body. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide that the false bulkhead furthercomprises a plurality of apertures defined in the base plate, whereineach aperture of the plurality of apertures is adapted to receive andhouse an associated brake light of a plurality of brake lights tooperably engage with the false bulkhead. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further comprise a first set ofattachment openings defined in the extension portion; a second set ofattachment opening defined in a circumferential lip of the falsebulkhead; and a set of attachment mechanisms operably engaging the falsebulkhead with the extension portion via the first and second set ofattachment openings. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further comprise a bead of epoxy operably engaging thefalse bulkhead to the main body; wherein the bead of epoxy is adapted toprevent the escapement of precipitation being drained exterior to theinterior chamber. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further comprise an opposing second extension portionoperably engaged with the exterior wall; wherein the extension portionextends outwardly away from one of the front bulkhead and the rearbulkhead. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther comprise a removable second false bulkhead operably engaged withthe second extension portion, said false bulkhead being located a seconddistance away from one of the front bulkhead and the rear bulkhead;wherein the false bulkhead is made of the second material. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furthercomprise a second exterior chamber defined between the second falsebulkhead and one of the front bulkhead and the rear bulkhead forconcealing drainage of precipitation from a top end of the main body tothe bottom end of the main body; wherein the second exterior chamber isdefined exterior to the interior chamber of the main body.

In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosuremay provide a trailer. The trailer includes a main body having a frontbulkhead, an opposing rear bulkhead, an exterior wall operably engagedwith the front and rear bulkheads, and at least one interior chamberdefined collectively by the front bulkhead, the rear bulkhead, and theexterior wall, said at least one interior chamber being adapted to carrya load; wherein the main body is made of aluminum. The trailer alsoincludes a removable false bulkhead operably engaged with the main body,said false bulkhead being located a distance away from one of the frontbulkhead and the rear bulkhead; wherein the first false bulkhead is madeof stainless steel.

This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide that the false bulkhead further comprises a base plate; and acircumferential lip extending laterally from the base plate towards themain body, wherein a portion of the circumferential lip is adapted to beoperably engaged with the main body. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further provide that the trailerfurther comprises at least one attachment mechanism operably engagingthe first false bulkhead with the main body, wherein the at least onelocking mechanism is adapted to maintain the false bulkhead with mainbody. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther provide that the drainage system further comprises an exteriorchamber defined between the false bulkhead and one of the front bulkheadand the rear bulkhead for concealing drainage of precipitation from atop end of the main body to a bottom end of the main body; wherein theexterior chamber is defined exterior to the interior chamber of the mainbody. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther provide that the false bulkhead further comprises a plurality ofapertures defined in the base plate, wherein each aperture of theplurality of apertures is adapted to receive and house an associatedbrake light of a plurality of brake lights to operably engage with thefalse bulkhead. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further comprise a first set of attachment openingsdefined in the main body; a second set of attachment opening defined ina circumferential lip of the false bulkhead; and a set of attachmentmechanisms operably engaging the false bulkhead with the main body viathe first and second set of attachment openings. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further comprise a beadof epoxy operably engaging the false bulkhead to the main body; whereinthe bead of epoxy is adapted to prevent the escapement of precipitationbeing drained exterior to the interior chamber. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further comprise aremovable second false bulkhead operably engaged with the main body,said second false bulkhead being located a second distance away from oneof the front bulkhead and the rear bulkhead; wherein the second falsebulkhead is made of stainless steel; and a second exterior chamberdefined between the second false bulkhead and one of the front bulkheadand the rear bulkhead for concealing drainage of precipitation from atop end of the main body to the bottom end of the main body; wherein thesecond exterior chamber is defined exterior to the interior chamber ofthe main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Sample embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in thefollowing description, are shown in the drawings and are particularlyand distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 (FIG. 1 ) is left side elevation view of a trailer operablyengaged with a vehicle, wherein the trailer is equipped with a drainagesystem in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 (FIG. 2 ) is a rear elevation view of the trailer equipped withthe drainage system shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3A (FIG. 3A) is a partial top plan view of the trailer equippedwith the drainage system taken in the direction of line 3A-3A shown inFIG. 1 .

FIG. 3B (FIG. 3B) is a partial top plan view of the trailer equippedwith the drainage system taken in the direction of line 3B-3B shown inFIG. 1 .

FIG. 4A (FIG. 4A) is a partial top, rear, left side isometricperspective view of the trailer equipped with the drainage system shownin FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4B (FIG. 4B) is an exploded perspective view of the trailerequipped with the drainage system, wherein a rear false bulkhead of thedrainage system is removed from the trailer.

FIG. 4C (FIG. 4C) is an exploded perspective view of the trailerequipped with the drainage system, wherein a conduit of the drainagesystem is removed from the trailer.

FIG. 5 (FIG. 5 ) is a partial sectional view of the trailer equippedwith the drainage system taken in the direction of line 5-5 shown inFIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A (FIG. 5A) is an enlargement of the highlighted region in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 (FIG. 6 ) is a partial sectional view of the trailer equippedwith the drainage system taken in the direction of line 6-6 shown inFIG. 3A, wherein rainwater is accumulated in a trough of the trailer.

FIG. 7 (FIG. 7 ) is an operational view of the trailer equipped with thedrainage system shown in FIG. 1 , wherein rainwater drains from upperopenings defined in a drainage portion to lower openings defined in thedrainage portion of the drainage system, and wherein the rear falsebulkhead is removed from the trailer for viewing the drainage operation.

FIG. 8 (FIG. 8 ) is a partial top, rear, left side perspective isometricview of another trailer equipped with a drainage system in accordancewith an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 (FIG. 9 ) is a partial sectional view of the trailer equippedwith the drainage system in FIG. 8 taken in the direction of line 9-9shown in FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 (FIG. 10 ) is an operational view of the trailer equipped withthe drainage system shown in FIG. 8 , wherein rainwater drains from thetrough to a gutter of the drainage system and away from the trailer.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a trailer or towed vehicle, which is generallyindicated by the reference number 1. The trailer 1 illustrated in FIG. 1is a tank trailer. It will be understood that the illustrated trailer 1is exemplary only and any type of trailer is contemplated to berepresented by the illustrated trailer. Exemplary trailers consideredsuitable herein include enclosed trailers, dry van trailers, dumptrailers, transfer trailers, pneumatic tank trailers, liquid tanktrailers, horse trailers, livestock trailers, tilt trailers, utilitytrailers, and any other similar trailers of the like for the purpose ofbeing towed.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the trailer 1 has a front end 1A, an opposingrear end 1B, and a longitudinal direction defined therebetween where thetrailer 1 may travel forwardly and backwardly along the longitudinaldirection when operably engaged with a towing vehicle (described below).The trailer 1 also has a first side or left side 1C, an opposing secondside or right side 1D, and a transverse direction defined therebetweenwhere the trailer 1 may travel laterally (i.e., turning left and/orright) along the transverse direction when operably engaged with atowing vehicle (described below). The trailer 1 also has a top end 1E,an opposing bottom end 1F, and a vertical direction defined therebetweenfor draining accumulated precipitation, which is described in moredetail below.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , the trailer 1 may be mechanically connectedto a vehicle or towing vehicle, which is generally indicated by thereference number 2. In FIG. 1 , the vehicle 2 is a semi-truckmechanically connected to the trailer 1. It will be understood that theillustrated vehicle 2 is exemplary only and any type of vehicle iscontemplated to be represented by the illustrated vehicle. Exemplaryvehicles considered suitable herein include motorcycles, all-terrainvehicles, cars, sport utility vehicles (SUV), pickup trucks, vans,recreational vehicles, commercial trucks, and any other vehicles of thelike for the purpose of towing a trailer.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , the trailer 1 may include a main body 10.The main body 10 may be operably engaged with a frame 3 of the trailer1. The frame 3 includes at least one wheel and/or tire 4 operablyengaged with the frame 3 for suitable moving and transporting thetrailer 1 with the vehicle 2. The frame 3 may include any suitablecomponents and/or assemblies for loading and unloading cargo or a loadfrom the main body 10, parking or maintaining the trailer 1 whendisconnected from the vehicle 2, providing energy or power to thetrailer when disconnected from the vehicle 2, and other suitablecomponents and/or assemblies of the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the main body 10 may have a front end 10A,an opposing rear end 10B, and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween.The main body 10 also has a first side or left side 10C, an opposingsecond side or right side 10D, and a transverse axis definedtherebetween. The main body 10 also has a top end 10E, an opposingbottom end 10F, and a vertical axis defined therebetween. The main body10 also includes a circumferential wall or exterior wall 12 that extendsfrom the front end 10A to the rear end 10B along the longitudinal axis.The circumferential wall 12 also operably engages with frame 3 formaintaining the main body 10 with the frame 3.

Referring to FIGS. 3B, the main body 10 may include a front bulkhead 14operably engaged with the circumferential wall 12 at the front end 10Aof the main body 10 proximate to the vehicle 2. The main body 10 mayalso include an opposing rear bulkhead 16 (see FIGS. 3A and 4B-7 )operably engaged with the circumferential wall 12 at the rear end 10B ofthe main body 10. Additionally, the circumferential wall 12, the frontbulkhead 14, and the rear bulkhead 16 may collectively define at leastone interior chamber 17 that extends from the front bulkhead 14 to therear bulkhead 16.

The at least one interior chamber 17 may be accessible at variouslocation along the main body 10 for loading cargo into the at least oneinterior chamber 17 and/or and for unloading cargo from the at least oneinterior chamber 17. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , a piping system “PS” ofthe trailer 1 may be in fluid communication with the at least oneinterior chamber 17 of the main body 10 for loading cargo into the atleast one interior chamber 17 and for unloading cargo from the at leastone interior chamber 17. In other exemplary embodiments, any suitablenumber of inlets and outlets may be defined in the main body 10 forloading cargo into the at least one interior chamber 17 and forunloading cargo from the at least one interior chamber 17.

While the main body 10 defines at least one interior chamber 17accessible by the piping system “PS, any suitable number of interiorchambers may be defined by the main body and accessible by any suitablenumber of pipes in a piping system. In one exemplary embodiment, a mainbody may include an interior bulkhead positioned between a frontbulkhead and a rear bulkhead where the main body defines a firstinterior chamber between the front bulkhead and the interior bulkheadand a second interior chamber between the rear bulkhead and the interiorbulkhead. In another exemplary embodiment, a main body may include aplurality of interior bulkheads positioned between a front bulkhead anda rear bulkhead where the main body defines a plurality of interiorchambers between each interior bulkhead, the front bulkhead, and therear bulkhead.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7 , the trailer 1 includes a drainage system 20 inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. The drainage system20 may conceal or mask any potential stains or rust created on one orboth of the front bulkhead 14 and rear bulkhead 16 via rainwater orother forms of liquid precipitation (e.g., melted ice, snow, sleet, andother forms of liquid precipitation). Drainage system 20 is operablyengaged with the main body 10. The drainage system 20 is positionedexterior to the at least one interior chamber 17 of the main body 10 inwhich fluid or liquid is conveyed or drained outside of the interiorchamber 17 and away from the trailer 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B,the drainage system 20 may be configured for concealing drainage offluid or liquid (such as rainwater) from the trough 21 to the bottom endof the main body 10 and away from the trailer 1. The drainage system 20is considered advantageous at least because the drainage system 20 mayprevent against unwanted stains or blemishes caused by precipitationdripping down the exposed front bulkhead 14 or rear bulkhead 16.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4A, the drainage system 20 may include a trough 21.The trough 21 may be operably engaged with the main body 10 along thetop end 10E of the main body 10. The trough 21 may extend between thefront and rear ends 10A, 10B of the main body 10. The trough 21 may alsoextend beyond the front bulkhead 14 and the rear bulkhead 16 of the mainbody 10, which is described in more detail below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B, the trough 21 may include a front wall21A, an opposing rear wall 21B, a first side or left wall 21C, and anopposing second side or right wall 21D. The trough 21 may define achannel 21E collectively by the front wall 21A, rear wall 21B, left wall21C, and right wall 21D. The channel 21E also extends along the entirelength of the trough 21 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trailer1. The channel 21E defined by the trough 21 may be configured to gatherand capture liquid or fluid that enters into the channel 21E. Asillustrated in FIGS. 6-7 , rainwater “RW” or other forms ofprecipitation may be gathered and captured in the channel 21E.Additionally, the trough 21 may be configured to convey rainwater “RW”or other forms of precipitation in liquid form from the top end 10E ofthe main body 10 towards an on-board drainage system, which is describedin more detail below.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the trough 21 may define a plurality ofthrough-holes 18F at the rear end 10B of the main body 10. The pluralityof through-holes 18F defined by the trough 21 may be configured toreceive and house a set of brake lights 19 where the set of brake lights19 is operably engaged with the trough 21. In the illustratedembodiment, the set of brake lights 19 operably engaged with the trough21 is used as the third brake light for the trailer 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 10 may be made of a firstmaterial, which includes the circumferential wall 12, the front bulkhead14, the rear bulkhead 16, and the trough 21. As such, the main body 10may be made from a metal material, specifically aluminum. Additionally,the circumferential wall 12, the front bulkhead 14, the rear bulkhead16, and the trough 21 may be made from aluminum material. In otherexemplary embodiments, any suitable metal material may be used to make amain body (and its associated components) for a trailer described andillustrated herein.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4B-7 , the drainage system 20 may include atleast one drainage portion 22 that is operably engaged with the mainbody 10. More particularly, the at least one drainage portion 22 may bea portion of the circumferential wall 12 of the main body 10. In theillustrated embodiment, a first or front drainage portion 22A of thecircumferential wall 12 may extend forwardly away from the frontbulkhead 14 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trailer 1. Asillustrated in FIGS. 3A, 4B-5A, and 7 , a second or rear drainageportion 22B of the circumferential wall 12 may extend rearwardly awayfrom the rear bulkhead 16 parallel to the longitudinal axis of thetrailer 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the circumferential wall 12,the front drainage portion 22A, and the rear drainage portion 22B is aunibody, monolithic member that is continuous and uninterrupted. In oneexemplary embodiment, one of a front drainage portion and a reardrainage portion of a drainage system is operably engaged with acircumferential wall of a main body via an attachment mechanism (e.g,joining mechanism, fusing mechanism, welding mechanism, etc.). Inanother exemplary embodiment, a front drainage portion and a reardrainage portion of a drainage system are operably engaged with acircumferential wall of a main body via attachment mechanisms (e.g,joining mechanisms, fusing mechanisms, welding mechanisms, etc.)

In the illustrated embodiment, the drainage system 20 includes the frontdrainage portion 22A and the opposing rear drainage portion 22B. Thefront drainage portion 22A and the opposing rear drainage portion 22Bare each adapted or configured to drain accumulated precipitation fromthe trough 21 and away from the trailer 1 exterior to the interiorchamber 17 of the main body 10. Such configuration of the drainageportions 22A, 22B prevents the potential leakage and contamination ofaccumulated precipitation into the interior chamber 17 of the main body10 as compared to common drainage solutions in the art. Additionally,the first and second drainage portions 22A, 22B are substantiallysimilar to one another and are positioned with the circumferential wall12 in a mirrored-image orientation. Inasmuch as the drainage portions22A, 22B are substantially similar, the following description willrelate to the rear drainage portion 22B. It should be understood,however, that the description of the rear drainage portion 22B appliesequally to the front drainage portion 22A.

As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the rear drainage portion 22B may include afront end 23A proximate to the rear bulkhead 16 and an opposing rear end23B remoted from the rear bulkhead 16. The rear drainage portion 22B mayalso include a first side or left side 23C and an opposing second sideor right side 23D. The rear drainage portion 22B may also include a topend 23E and an opposing bottom end 23F. The rear drainage portion 22Bmay also have an inner surface 24A that is defined circumferentiallyabout the rear drainage portion 22B. The inner surface 24A may extendfrom the rear bulkhead 16 to the rear end 23B of the rear drainageportion 22B. The rear drainage portion 22B may also have an opposingouter surface 24B that is defined circumferentially about the reardrainage portion 22B. The outer surface 24B may also extend from therear bulkhead 16 to the rear end 23B of the rear drainage portion 22B.As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 5A, the rear drainage portion 22B maydefine a first set of attachment openings 26. Each attachment opening ofthe first set of attachment openings 26 may extend entirely through therear drainage portion 22B in which the inner surface 24A and the outersurface 24B are in fluid communication with one another through thefirst set of attachment openings 26. Such use of the first set ofattachment openings 26 is described in more detail below.

The drainage system 20 may include at least one upper drain opening 30defined in rear drainage portion 22B extending entirely through the reardrainage portion 22B. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the drainage system 20may include a first upper drain opening 30A and an adjacent second upperopening 30B that extend entirely through the rear drainage portion 22Bin which the inner surface 24A and the outer surface 24B are in fluidcommunication with one another through each of the first and secondupper drain openings 30A, 30B. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the first andsecond upper drain openings 30A, 30B are defined proximate to the topend 10E of the main body 10. The first and second upper drain openings30A, 30B may also be in fluid communication with the trough 21 due tothe first and second upper drain openings 30A, 30B being defined insideof the channel 21E of said trough 21. Similarly, third and fourth upperdrain openings 30C, 30D defined by the front drainage portion 22A mayalso be in fluid communication with the trough 21 due to the third andfourth upper drain openings 30C, 30C being defined inside of the channel21E of said trough 21.

The structural configuration of the first and second upper drainopenings 30A, 30B and the trough 21 is considered advantageous at leastbecause the first and second upper drain openings 30A, 30B may providedrainage of the accumulated precipitation from the trough 21, throughthe rear drainage portion 22B, and away from the main body 10 and thetrailer 1. In one exemplary embodiment, a portion of a trough may besloped from a medial point of the trough towards a rear drainage portionto suitable drain liquid precipitation away from the main body that isboth concealed and isolated from the interior chamber 17 of the mainbody 10. Moreover, the first and second upper drain openings 30A, 30Bomit additional drainage members (e.g., conduits or pipe members) fordraining liquid precipitation to prevent freezing or clogging withfrozen precipitation or unwanted debris commonly attributed to drainagemembers. Similarly, the structural configuration of the third and fourthupper drain openings 30C, 30D and the trough 21 mirror the sameadvantageous as the first and second upper drain openings 30A, 30B andthe trough 21 but on the opposing side of the trailer 1.

The drainage system 20 may include at least one lower drain opening 32defined in rear drainage portion 22B extending entirely through the reardrainage portion 22B. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the drainage system 20may include a first lower drain opening 32A and an adjacent second loweropening 32B that extend entirely through the rear drainage portion 22Bin which the inner surface 24A and the outer surface 24B are in fluidcommunication with one another through each of the first and secondlower drain openings 32A, 32B. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the first andsecond upper drain openings 32A, 32B are defined proximate to the bottomend 10F of the main body 10. The first and second lower drain openings32A, 32B may also be in fluid communication with the trough 21 and thefirst and second upper drain openings 30A, 30B. Similarly, third andfourth lower drain openings 32C, 32D of the front drainage portion 22Amay also be in fluid communication with the third and fourth upperopenings 30C, 30D and trough 21.

The structural configuration of the first and second lower drainopenings 32A, 32B defined by the rear drainage portion 22B is consideredadvantageous at least because the first and second lower drain openings32A, 32B may provide drainage of the accumulated precipitation from thetrough 21 and away from the main body 10 and the trailer 1. Asillustrated in FIGS. 3A, 4B-5A, and 7 , the first and second lower drainopenings 32A, 32B may be aligned with the first and second upper drainopenings 30A, 30B to allow for consistent flow of accumulatedprecipitation along a vertical axis through each associated upper andlower drain opening. Additionally, the curvature of the rear drainageportion 22B allows the inner surface 24A to act as a funnel to conveyany excess fluid to drain towards one or both of the first and secondlower drain openings 32A, 32B. Moreover, the first and second lowerdrain openings 32A, 32B omit additional drainage members (e.g., conduitsor pipe members) for draining liquid precipitation to prevent freezingor clogging with frozen precipitation or unwanted debris commonlyattributed to drainage members. Similarly, the structural configurationof the third and fourth lower drain openings 32C, 32D of the frontdrainage portion 22A mirror the same advantageous as the first andsecond lower drain openings 32A, 32B but on the opposing side of thetrailer 1.

The rear drainage portion 22B may define at least one upper through-hole34 and at least one lower through-hole 36 therein. As illustrated inFIGS. 4B-4C, the rear drainage portion 22B defines an upper through-hole34 and an opposing lower through-hole 36. In the illustrated embodiment,the upper through-hole 34 and the lower through-hole 36 may be alignedwith one another that the upper through-hole 34 and the lowerthrough-hole 36 are coaxial with one another. Similarly, the frontdrainage portion 22A may also define an upper through-hole 34 (see FIG.3B) and a lower through-hole (not illustrated) substantially similar tothe upper and lower through-holes 34, 36 of the rear drainage portion22B. Such use of the upper and lower through-holes 34, 36 of each of thefront drainage portion 22A and the rear drainage portion 22B isdescribed in more detail below.

The trailer 1 may also include at least one insulated conduit 40 that isoperably engaged with one or both of the front and rear drainageportions 22A, 22B of the drainage system 20. As illustrated in FIGS.3A-7 , a front conduit 40A may be operably engaged with the frontdrainage portion 22A via the associated upper and lower through-holes34. Similarly, a rear conduit 40B may be operably engaged with reardrainage portion 22B via the associated upper and lower through-holes34, 36. The front and rear conduits 40A, 40B are substantially similarto one another and are positioned with the front and rear drainageportions 22A, 22B in a mirrored-image orientation. Inasmuch as the frontand rear conduits 40A, 40B are substantially similar, the followingdescription will relate to the rear conduit 40B. It should beunderstood, however, that the description of the rear conduit 40Bapplies equally to the front conduit 40A.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4B-4C, the rear conduit 40B defines an open topend 41A, an opposing open bottom end 41B, and a passageway 41C definedtherebetween. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the top end 41A of the rearconduit 40B may be operably engaged with the rear drainage portion 22Binside of the upper through-hole 34 and proximate to the top end 10E ofthe main body 10. The bottom end 41B of the rear conduit 40B may beoperably engaged with the rear drainage portion 22B inside of the lowerthrough-hole 36 and proximate to the bottom end 10F of the main body 10.The rear conduit 40B may also be sized and configured to receive andhouse electrical wiring, mechanical lines, and other components forproviding power or energy to electrical and mechanical devices on thetrailer 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 5-5A, a group of electricalwiring “W” may be housed inside of the rear conduit 40B. The group ofelectrical wiring “W” may include at least one electrical wire. Asillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 5A, the group of electrical wiring “W” mayinclude a first wire “W1” that electrically connects the set of brakelights 19 mounted in the trough 21 to the vehicle 2 for operating theset of brake lights 19 when towing the trailer 1. The group ofelectrical wiring “W” may include a second wire “W2” that electricallyconnects other devices on the trailer 1 to the vehicle 2 or to otherprogrammable devices on the trailer 1 (e.g., pumps, electrical switches,actuators, etc.).

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 6-7 , the rear conduit 40B may be influid communication with the trough 21 due to the upper through-hole 34of the rear drainage portion 22B being defined inside of the channel 21Eof the trough 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the top end 41A issealed once the electrical wiring and other components are housed insideof the rear conduit 40B. In one exemplary embodiment, a rear conduit mayconvey accumulated precipitation from the top end 41A, via the trough21, and exits through the bottom end 41B. Moreover, the bottom end 41Bis sealed once the electrical wiring and other components are housedinside of the rear conduit 40B. The front conduit 40A may be sealedsubstantially similar to the rear conduit 40B.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 5 , the rear conduit 40B may define abend 42 between the top end 41A and the bottom end 41B of the rearconduit 40B. The bend 42 may be defined based on the curvilinear shapeof the rear bulkhead 16 such that the rear conduit 40B is positionedaway from the rear bulkhead 16 and not contacting the rear bulkhead 16.The front conduit 40A may also define a substantially similar bend basedon the curvilinear shape of the front bulkhead 14.

Similar to the rear conduit 40B, the front conduit 40A may be configuredto provide substantially similar options as provided by the rear conduit40B. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the front conduit 40A may also house agroup of electrical wiring “W3” for providing electrical power or energyto other device and components operably engaged with the trailer 1 toload and unload cargo.

The structural arrangement between the front and rear conduits 40A, 40Band the front and rear drainage portions 22A, 22B is consideredadvantageous at least because the front and rear conduits 40A, 40B mayhouse electrical wires and mechanical lines exterior to the interiorchamber 17 of the main body 10 to prevent against interactions with thecargo housed inside said interior chamber 17. Such isolation ofelectrical wires in one or both of the front and rear conduits 40A, 40Bmay prevent electrical shortages due to the electrical wiring beingcompletely removed from the chamber 17. Such isolation of mechanicallines (i.e., pneumatic lines, hydraulic lines, etc.) in one of both ofthe front and rear conduits 40A, 40B may prevent clogging or destructionof mechanical system due to the mechanical lines being completelyremoved from the interior chamber 17.

The drainage system 20 may also include at least one removable falsebulkhead 50 operably engaged with one of the front drainage portion 22Aand the rear drainage portion 22B. The at least one removable falsebulkhead 50 is independent from one of the front bulkhead 14 and therear bulkhead 16 of the main body 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3B,the drainage system 20 may include a front false bulkhead 50A that isoperably engaged with the front drainage portion 22A. Referring to FIG.1 , 3A, and 4A-5A, the drainage system 20 may also include a first orrear false bulkhead 50B that is operably engaged with the rear drainageportion 22B. The front (or second) and rear (or first) false bulkheads50A, 50B are substantially similar to one another and are positionedwith the front and rear drainage portions 22A, 22B in a mirrored-imageorientation. Inasmuch as the false bulkheads 50A, 50B are substantiallysimilar, the following description will relate to the rear falsebulkhead 50B. It should be understood, however, that the description ofthe rear false bulkhead 50B applies equally to the front false bulkhead50A.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B and 5-5A, the rear false bulkhead 50B mayinclude a base plate 52. The base plate 52 may have an inner surface 54facing in a direction towards the rear bulkhead 16 of the main body 10.The base plate 52 may also have an opposing outer surface 56 facing inan opposite direction away from the rear bulkhead 16 of the main body10. The base plate 52 may also define a plurality of apertures 57 thatextends entirely through the base plate 52 where the inner surface 54and the outer surface 56 are in fluid communication with one anotherthrough each aperture of the plurality of apertures 57. The plurality ofapertures 57 is also sized and configured to receive a plurality ofbrake lights 58 (see FIG. 5 ) in which the plurality of brakes lights 58would operably engaged with the base plate 52 via said plurality ofapertures 57. Since the plurality of apertures 57 are used for operablyengaging the plurality of brake lights to the rear false bulkhead 50B,the plurality of apertures 57 may be omitted from the front falsebulkhead 50B.

Still referring to FIGS. 4B and 5-5A, the rear false bulkhead 50B mayalso include a circumferential lip 60 that is formed in the base plate52 via a bend 61. The circumferential lip 60 may extend laterally awayfrom the bend 61 towards the base plate 52 and towards the rear bulkhead16 of the main body 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 5-5A, thecircumferential lip 60 may define a second set of attachment openings 62where each attachment opening of the second set of attachment openings62 extends entirely through the circumferential lip 60. Such use of thesecond set of attachment openings 62 is described in more detail below.Upon assembly of the rear false bulkhead 50B with the rear drainageportion 22B, a portion of the circumferential lip 60 operably engageswith the interior surface 24A of the rear drainage portion 22B inside ofthe rear drainage portion 22B. Upon assembly, an exterior chamber 63B isdefined between the rear bulkhead 16 of the main body 10 and the rearfalse bulkhead 50B surrounded by the rear drainage portion 22B. Theexterior chamber 63B is isolated from the interior chamber 17 defined bythe main body 10. Similarly, another exterior chamber 63A is definedbetween the front bulkhead 14 of the main body 10 and the front falsebulkhead 50A surrounded by the front drainage portion 22A. This exteriorchamber 63A is also isolated from the interior chamber 17 defined by themain body 10. Such use of the exterior chambers 63A, 63B is described inmore detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 5-5A, a plurality of attachment members 80 may beused to operably engage the rear false bulkhead 50B with the reardrainage portion 22B via the first and second sets of attachmentopenings 26, 62. Each attachment member of the plurality of attachmentmembers 80 may include a threaded connector 82 configured to threadablyengage with an associated nut 84. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, a threadedconnector 82 of an attachment member of the plurality of attachmentmembers 80 may be feed through aligned attachment openings of the firstand second sets of attachment openings 26, 62. The threaded connector 82may maintain the position of the rear false bulkhead 50B with the reardrainage portion 22B via the nut 84 threadably engaging with thethreaded connector 82. In other exemplary embodiment, any suitablenumber of attachment members may be used to operably engage a false rearbulkhead with a rear expansion member. Similarly, the plurality ofattachment member 80 may be used to operably engage the front falsebulkhead 50A with the front drainage portion 22A.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A, a bead of epoxy 86 may be appliedcircumferential about the rear drainage portion 22B and the rear falsebulkhead 50B for providing additional attachment support between themain body 10 and the rear false bulkhead 50B. In the illustratedembodiment, the bead of epoxy 86 may be applied along the rear end 23Bof the rear drainage portion 22B and along the circumferential lip 60 ofthe rear false bulkhead 50B. The epoxy 86 may be any suitable substanceor cargo that is able to adhere and/or attach the rear false bulkhead50B to the rear drainage portion 22B of the circumferential wall 12while preventing any fluid or precipitation from permeating through onceapplied. Similarly, a bead of epoxy may be applied circumferential aboutthe front drainage portion 22A and the front false bulkhead 50A forproviding additional attachment support between the main body 10 and thefront false bulkhead 50A.

The structural configuration of the false bulkheads 50A, 50B with thedrainage portions 22A, 22B is considered advantageous at least becausethe drainage of accumulated precipitation along an outer surface of thetrailer 1 (at either the front or rear ends 1A, 1B) may be masked and/orconcealed via the false bulkheads 50A, 50B. In other words, theaccumulated precipitation may drain behind one or both of the falsebulkheads 50A, 50B inside of one or both of the exterior chambers 63A,63B. Such drainage concealment of the accumulated precipitation mayprevent the displaying of unwanted stains or grime on the front end 1Aor the rear end 1B of the trailer 1. By concealing the drainage,bystanders or drivers near the trailer 1 may not confuse the drainagestains or grime as the trailer 1 leaking cargo loaded in the trailer 1(e.g., gasoline, hazardous chemicals, etc.)

The structural configuration of the drainage system 20 when using falsebulkheads 50A, 50B with the drainage portions 22A, 22B is consideredadvantageous at least because such omission of piping and/or plumbingprevents the potential of freezing lines with frozen precipitation orclogging with debris. In one instance, the upper drain openings 30defined in the drainage portions 22A, 22B simply convey accumulatedprecipitation into the exterior chambers 63A, 63B and towards the lowerdrain openings 32 defined in the drainage portions 22A, 22B to drainsaid accumulated precipitation. With the elimination of the pipingand/or plumbing components, the accumulated precipitation may easilytravel through these upper and lower drain openings 30, 32 due to size,shape, and configuration of the openings 30, 32 and the exteriorchambers 63. Furthermore, removal of debris or frozen precipitation maybe easily removed from the exterior chambers 63A, 63B by simply removingthe attachment members 80 from one of the false bulkheads 50A, 50B andthe one of the drainage portions 22A, 22B.

In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 10 and its associated partsand/or components are made from a first material, and the at least oneremovable false bulkhead 50 (one or both of the front removable falsebulkhead 50A and the rear removable false bulkhead 50B) is made of asecond material; the second material is different than the firstmaterial. In one example, the main body 10 may be made from aluminum,and the at least one removable false bulkhead 50 may be made fromstainless steel. In another example, the main body 10 may be made fromaluminum, and the at least one removable false bulkhead 50 may be madefrom a fabric and/or fibrous material.

Having now described the components and assemblies of the trailer 1along with the associated drainage system 20, the method of use and/oroperation of the trailer 1 with the associated drainage system 20 isdescribed below.

Upon a towing operation, the trailer 1 may be mechanically connected tothe vehicle 2 in any suitable configuration. In the current embodiment,the trailer 1 and the vehicle 2 are mechanically connected via afifth-wheel trailer connection. Once connected, the vehicle 2 may begintowing the trailer 1 and use it for various purposes.

Upon towing, the trailer 1 and vehicle 2 may incur different forms ofprecipitation during normal operation (e.g., rainwater, snow, sleet,ice, etc.). During this precipitation period, precipitation may contactthe top end 10E of the main body 10 where precipitation may beaccumulated inside the of the channel 21E of the trough 21. As shown inFIG. 6 , precipitation, such as rainwater, may fall from the surroundingatmosphere and interact with the trailer 1. The rainfall of therainwater is denoted by arrows labeled “RF” in FIG. 6 , and accumulatedrainwater in the trough 21 is labeled “RW” in FIG. 6 . As the rainwater“RW” or other liquid forms of precipitation begin to accumulate in thetrough 21, the trough 21 is adapted to convey the rainwater “RW” towardsthe upper drain openings 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D defined by the frontdrainage portion 22A and the rear drainage portion 22B. As stated above,the process of draining accumulated precipitation from the trailer 1will be focused on the rear portion the drainage system 20. It should beunderstood that this process of draining accumulated precipitation issubstantially similar to the front portion of the drainage system 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the rainwater “RW” is conveyed from thechamber 18E of the trough 21 and into the first and second upper drainopenings 30A, 30B of the rear drainage portion 22B. As the rainwater“RW” enters the first and second upper drain openings 30A, 30B, therainwater “RW” moves downwardly from the first and second upper drainopenings 30A, 30B towards the first and second lower drain openings 32A,32B. During this transition, the rainwater “RW” may move laterally toeither side of the first and second lower drain openings 32A, 32B due toexternal forces placed on the rainwater “RW” (e.g., centrifugal forceplaced on the trailer 1 when turning with vehicle 2) or the flow rate ofthe rainwater “RW.” In these specific cases, the rainwater “RW” maycontact the interior surface 24A of the rear drainage portion 22B and/orthe rear false bulkhead 50B and be directed towards the first and secondlower drain openings 32A, 32B. The structural configuration of the boththe rear drainage portion 22B and the rear false bulkhead 50B allows forrainwater “RW” or other types of precipitation to be funneled throughthe trailer 1 exterior to the interior chamber 17 of the main body 10even through the rainwater “RW” or other types of precipitation were notdirectly drained through one or both of the first and second lower drainopenings 32A, 32B from one or both of the first and second lower drainopenings 32A, 32B. As the rainwater “RW” or other type of precipitationmoves through the first and second lower drain openings 32A, 32B, therainwater “RW” is drained into the exterior environment of the trailer 1and away from said trailer 1.

During this drainage process, the rainwater “RW” may not enter into orpass through the upper through-hole 34 or the lower through-hole 36 ofthe rear drainage portion 22B due to the rear conduit 40B being sealedfrom exterior elements. In other words, the passageway 41C of the rearconduit 40B may be isolated from exterior elements to protect electricalwiring or mechanical plumbing for the trailer 1. As such, theprecipitation accumulated in the trough 21 may pass over the upperthrough-hole 34 due to the conduit 40B being sealed. It should beunderstood that the drainage process explained above may besubstantially similar to the upper and lower through-holes 34 of thefront drainage portion 22A in that the front conduit 40A may be sealedto prevent against drainage of accumulated precipitation through saidfront conduit 40A.

The drainage system 20 of the trailer 1 is considered advantageous atleast because the drainage of accumulated precipitation along an outersurface of the trailer 1 (at either the front or rear end 1A, 1B) may bemasked and/or concealed via the false bulkheads 50A, 50B. In otherwords, the accumulated precipitation may drain behind one or both of thefalse bulkheads 50A, 50B inside of one or both of the exterior chambers63A, 63B. Such drainage concealment of the accumulated precipitation mayprevent the displaying of unwanted stains or grime on the front end 1Aor the rear end 1B of the trailer 1. By concealing the drainage,bystanders or drivers proximate to the trailer 1 may not confuse thedrainage stains or grime as the trailer 1 leaking cargo loaded in thetrailer 1 (e.g., gasoline, hazardous chemicals, etc.)

The drainage system 20 of the trailer 1 is also considered advantageousat least because the drainage system 20 may prevent against clogging orfreezing pipes when draining accumulated precipitation from a top end ofa trailer. The drainage system 20 omits the use of drainage pipes anduses the upper and lower openings 30, 32 of the drainage system 20 toadequately drain different types of accumulated precipitation. In oneinstance, the drainage system 20 may allow for accumulated snow, sleet,or similar types of accumulated precipitation to adequately drainthrough the drainage portions 20A, 20B. Moreover, the removable falsebulkheads 50A, 50B provides ease of accessing the exterior chambers 63A,63B if precipitation freezes inside of these exterior chambers 63A, 63Bor if debris is contained inside of these exterior chambers 63A, 63B.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate another trailer 100 similar to the trailer 1described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 , except as detailed below.The trailer 100 includes a drainage system 120 that is different thanthe drainage system 20 illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 .

Referring to FIGS. 8-10 , the trailer 100 includes a main body 110 thatmay have a front end (not illustrated), an opposing rear end 110B, and alongitudinal axis defined therebetween. The main body 110 also has afirst side or left side 110C, an opposing second side or right side110D, and a transverse axis defined therebetween. The main body 110 alsohas a top end 110E, an opposing bottom end 110F, and a vertical axisdefined therebetween. The main body 110 also includes a circumferentialwall 112 that extends from the front end to the rear end 110B along thelongitudinal axis. The circumferential wall 112 may also operably engagewith a frame (not illustrated) for maintaining the main body 10 with theframe.

Referring to FIGS. 3B, the main body 110 may include a front bulkhead(not illustrated) operably engaged with the circumferential wall 112 atthe front end of the main body 110 proximate to a vehicle (notillustrated). The main body 110 may also include an opposing rearbulkhead 116 operably engaged with the circumferential wall 112 at therear end 110B of the main body 110. Additionally, the circumferentialwall 112, the front bulkhead, and the rear bulkhead 116 may collectivelydefine at least one interior chamber 117 that extends from the frontbulkhead to the rear bulkhead 116 similar to the interior chamber 17 ofthe main body 10 described above.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10 , the trailer 100 includes a drainage system 120(i.e., a drainage system) that is operably engaged with the main body110. The drainage system 120 may include a trough 121. The trough 121may be operably engaged with the main body 110 along the top end 110E ofthe main body 110 and extends between the front and rear ends of themain body 110. The trough 121 may also extend beyond the front bulkheadand the rear bulkhead 116 of the main body 110, which is described inmore detail below.

The trough 121 may have a front end 121A, an opposing rear end 121B, afirst side wall or left wall 121C, and an opposing second side wall orright wall 121D. The trough 121 may define a channel 121E collectivelyby the first end 121A, the rear end 121B, the left wall 121C, and theright wall 121D. The trough 121 extends along the entire length of thetrough 121 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trailer 100. Thechannel 121E defined by the trough 121 may be configured to gather andcapture liquid or fluid that enters into the channel 121E. Asillustrated in FIG. 10 , rainwater “RW” or other forms of precipitationmay be gathered and captured in the channel 121E.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the trough 121 may define a plurality ofthrough-holes 121F at the rear end 110B of the main body 110. Theplurality of through-holes 121F defined by the trough 121 may beconfigured to receive and house a set of brake lights 119 where the setof brake lights 119 is operably engaged with the trough 121. In theillustrated embodiment, the set of brake lights 119 operably engagedwith the trough 121 is used as the third brake light for the trailer100.

Additionally, the trough 121 may define at least one slot 121G extendingentirely through the trough 121 at the rear end 110B of the main body110. The at least one slot 121G may be configured to convey rainwater“RW” or other forms of precipitation in liquid form from the top end110E of the main body 110 towards an on-board drainage system, which isdescribed in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, thetrough 121 defines a first slot 121G1 and an adjacent second slot 121G2positioned relative to a transverse axis of the trough 121.

In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 110 may be made of a firstmaterial, and the circumferential wall 112, the front bulkhead, the rearbulkhead 116, and the trough 121 may be made of a second, differentmaterial. As such, the main body 110 may be made from a metal material,specifically aluminum. Each of the circumferential wall 112, the frontbulkhead, the rear bulkhead 116, and the trough 121 may be made fromaluminum material. In other exemplary embodiments, any suitable metalmaterial may be used to make a main body (and its associated components)for a trailer described and illustrated herein.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 , the drainage system may include adrainage portion or gutter 122 that is positioned exterior to the atleast one interior chamber 117 of the main body 110 in which fluid orliquid is conveyed or drained outside of the interior chamber 117. Thegutter 122 may be configured for draining fluid or liquid (such asrainwater) from the trough 121 to the rear end of the main body 110 at adistance away from the trailer 100. The gutter 122 is consideredadvantageous at least because the gutter 122 may prevent againstunwanted stains or blemishes caused by precipitation dripping down theexposed rear bulkhead 116.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 , the gutter 122 may include a base plate123. The base plate 123 may include a front end 123A that is operablyengaged with the main body 110 proximate to the rear end 1106 and anopposing rear end 123B remote from the base plate 123. As shown in FIG.9 , the rear end 123B of the base plate 123 is defined at a distance “D”away from the rear bulkhead 116. Such distance “D” between the rear end1236 of the base plate 123 and the rear bulkhead 116 allows for adequatedistance in which accumulated precipitation may be drained away from thetrailer 100 without creating unwanted stains or blemishes caused byprecipitation dripping down the exposed rear bulkhead 116.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 10 , the base plate 123 may also define acurvilinear shape that extends from a left or first side 123C of thebase plate to an opposing right or second side 123C of the base plate123. The curvilinear shape of the base plate 123 provides ease ofdraining accumulated precipitation from trough 121 and away from thetrailer 100, which is described in more detail below. The base plate 123may also have a top surface 124 that extends between the left and rightsides 122C, 122D and an opposing bottom surface that extends between theleft and right sides 122C, 122D.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10 , the gutter 122 may include at least one rail128. The at least one rail 128 may be operably engaged with the topsurface 124 of the base plate 123. The at least one rail 128 may also bealigned with the at least one slot 121G of the trough 121 in that the atleast one rail 128 is configured to direct the flow of the accumulatedprecipitation from the trough 121 and away from the rear bulkhead 116 ofthe main body 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the gutter 122includes a first rail 128A and a second rail 128B. Each of the first andsecond rails 128A, 128B may be operably engaged with the top surface 124of the gutter 122 where the first and second rails 128A, 128B extendaway from the top surface 124. In one exemplary embodiment, first andsecond rails of a gutter may be defined in the gutter 122 where thefirst and second rails extend into a top surface of the gutter towards abottom surface of the gutter.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first rail 128A is aligned with thefirst slot 121G1 of the trough 121 to direct the flow of the accumulatedprecipitation from the trough 121 and away from the rear bulkhead 116 ofthe main body 110. Similarly, the second rail 128B is aligned with thesecond slot 121G2 of the trough 121 to direct the flow of theaccumulated precipitation from the trough 121 and away from the rearbulkhead 116 of the main body 110. The first and second rails 128A, 128Bare also offset from one another in that the first rail 128A directs avolume of accumulated precipitation towards the right side 123D of thebase plate 123, and the second rail 128B directs another volume ofaccumulated precipitation towards the left side 123C of the base plate123. Moreover, the first and second rails 128A, 128B may define acentral passage 129 that increases in diameter from the front end 123Aof the base plate 123 to the rear end 123B of the base plate 123.

Having now described the components of the trailer 100, specifically thetrough 121 and the gutter 122, the method of use can now be discussed.

Upon towing, the trailer 100 and vehicle may incur different forms ofprecipitation during normal operation (e.g., rainwater, snow, sleet,ice, etc.). During this precipitation period, precipitation may contactthe top end 110E of the main body 110 where precipitation may beaccumulated inside the of the channel 121E of the trough 121. As shownin FIG. 10 , precipitation, such as rainwater “RW”, may fall from thesurrounding atmosphere and interact with the trailer 100. As therainwater “RW”, or other liquid forms of precipitation, begin toaccumulate in the trough 121, the trough 121 is adapted to convey therainwater “RW” towards the first and second slots 121G1, 121G2 definedin the trough 121. As stated above, the process of draining accumulatedprecipitation from the trailer 100 will be focused on the rear portionthe drainage system 120. It should be understood that this process ofdraining accumulated precipitation is substantially similar to a frontgutter if equipped to a trailer such as trailer 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 10 , the rainwater “RW” is conveyed from thechamber 118A of the trough 121 and into the first and second slots121G1, 121G2. As the rainwater “RW” enters the first and second slots121G1, 121G2, the rainwater “RW” moves laterally from the first andsecond slots 121G1, 121G2 towards gutter 122, specifically the first andsecond rails 128A, 128B. During this transition, the rainwater “RW” maymove laterally away from or against the first and second rails 128A,128B due to external forces placed on the rainwater “RW” (e.g.,centrifugal force placed on the trailer 100 when turning with vehicle)or the flow rate of the rainwater “RW.” In these specific cases, therainwater “RW” may contact both the first and second rails 128A, 128Band be directed towards the rear end 123B of the base plate 123.Additionally, the curvilinear shape of the base plate 123 providesadditional guidance to the rainwater “RW” by forcing the rainwater “RW”to move towards the first and second rails 128A, 128B. The structuralconfiguration of the gutter 122 allows for rainwater “RW” or other typesof precipitation to be funneled away from the trailer 100 at a desireddistance to prevent unwanted stains or blemishes caused by precipitationdripping down the exposed rear bulkhead 116.

Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, ofwhich an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of themethod may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments maybe constructed in which acts are performed in an order different thanillustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, eventhough shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventiveembodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and inthe claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should beunderstood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used hereinin the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understoodto mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elementsthat are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively presentin other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should beconstrued in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements soconjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than theelements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used inconjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, inone embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B);in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements otherthan A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification andin the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as“and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list,“or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., theinclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a numberor list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Onlyterms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or“exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” willrefer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list ofelements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only beinterpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the otherbut not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,”“one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentiallyof,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used inthe field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” anotherfeature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or elementor intervening features and/or elements may also be present. Incontrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directlyon” another feature or element, there are no intervening features orelements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature orelement is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” toanother feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached orcoupled to the other feature or element or intervening features orelements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element isreferred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or“directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are nointervening features or elements present. Although described or shownwith respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so describedor shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated bythose of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature thatis disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap orunderlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”,“upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be usedherein for ease of description to describe one element or feature'srelationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in thefigures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in use oroperation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Forexample, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as“under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented“over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under”can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may beotherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and thespatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”,“lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used hereinfor the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicatedotherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describevarious features/elements, these features/elements should not be limitedby these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms maybe used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element.Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a secondfeature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussedherein could be termed a first feature/element without departing fromthe teachings of the present invention.

An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure.Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,”“some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplaryembodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but notnecessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances“an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particularembodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or thelike, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.

If this specification states a component, feature, structure, orcharacteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particularcomponent, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to beincluded. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element,that does not mean there is only one of the element. If thespecification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does notpreclude there being more than one of the additional element.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in theexamples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may beread as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if theterm does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately”may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate thatthe value and/or position described is within a reasonable expectedrange of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may havea value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1%of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (orrange of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10%of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical rangerecited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occurin a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, nosequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitlystated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of themethod in a different order could achieve a similar result.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of thedisclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exactdetails shown or described.

1. A trailer, comprising: a main body having an exterior wall with a first end and an opposing second end; a bulkhead provided proximate the first end of the main body; at least one interior chamber defined by the main body and adapted to carry a load; and a drainage system provided on the trailer, said drainage system including: a drainage portion extending outwardly beyond the first end of the exterior wall, said drainage portion being adapted to direct precipitation away from the bulkhead and towards a ground surface over which the trailer travels.
 2. The trailer of claim 1, the drainage system further comprises: a trough operably engaged with the main body that extends between the first and second ends of the main body, wherein the trough is configured to hold and convey the precipitation from the main body to the drainage portion.
 3. The trailer of claim 2, wherein the drainage system further comprises: at least one upper opening defined in an upper end of the drainage portion proximate to the first end of the main body, wherein the at least one upper opening is in fluid communication with the trough, and wherein the at least one upper opening is configured to drain the precipitation from the trough through the main body exterior to the interior chamber of the main body.
 4. The trailer of claim 3, wherein the drainage system further comprises: at least one opposing lower opening defined in a lower end of the drainage portion proximate to the first end of the trailer, wherein the at least one lower opening is configured to drain the precipitation from the upper end of the drainage portion downwardly to the lower end of the drainage portion exterior to the interior chamber of the main body.
 5. The trailer of claim 3, wherein the drainage system further comprises: a removable false bulkhead operably engaged with the drainage portion, wherein the false bulkhead is independent from the bulkhead of the main body.
 6. The trailer of claim 5, further comprising: a first material that makes the main body; and a second material that makes the removable false bulkhead, wherein the second material is different than the first material.
 7. The trailer of claim 6, wherein the main body is made of aluminum; and wherein the removable false bulkhead is made of stainless steel
 8. The trailer of claim 6, wherein the main body is made of aluminum; and wherein the removable false bulkhead is made of a fabric material.
 9. The trailer of claim 5, wherein the false bulkhead further comprises: a base plate; and a circumferential lip extending laterally from the base plate towards the drainage portion, wherein the circumferential lip is adapted to be operably engaged with an interior surface of the drainage portion.
 10. The trailer of claim 9, wherein the drainage system further comprises: at least one locking mechanism operably engaging the false bulkhead with the drainage portion, wherein the at least one locking mechanism is adapted to maintain the false bulkhead with the drainage portion.
 11. The trailer of claim 4, wherein the drainage system further comprises: an exterior chamber defined between the bulkhead of the main body and the false bulkhead, wherein the exterior chamber is in fluid communication with external environment via the at least one upper opening and the at least one lower opening, and wherein the exterior chamber is isolated from the interior chamber of the main body.
 12. The trailer of claim 5, wherein the false bulkhead further comprises: a plurality of apertures defined in the false bulkhead, wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures is adapted to receive and house an associated brake light of a plurality of brake lights to operably engage with the false bulkhead.
 13. The trailer of claim 2, wherein the drainage system further comprises: a plurality of upper openings defined in the upper end of the drainage portion, wherein the plurality of upper openings is in fluid communication with the trough, and wherein the plurality of upper openings is configured to drain the precipitation from the trough through the main body exterior to the interior chamber of the main body.
 14. The trailer of claim 13, wherein the drainage system further comprises: a plurality of opposing lower openings defined in the lower end of the drainage portion, wherein the plurality of lower openings is aligned with the plurality of upper openings, and wherein the plurality of opposing lower openings is configured to drain the precipitation from the upper end of the drainage portion downwardly to the lower end of the drainage portion exterior to the interior chamber of the main body.
 15. The trailer of claim 11, wherein the trailer further comprises: a conduit operably engaged with the drainage portion; wherein the conduit is adapted to isolate electrical wiring and mechanical lines of the trailer from the precipitation drained by the drainage system inside of the exterior chamber.
 16. The trailer of claim 15, wherein the drainage system further comprises: an upper through-hole defined in the upper end of the drainage portion; and an opposing lower through-hole defined in the lower end of the drainage portion, wherein the lower through-hole is coaxial with the upper through-hole; wherein the upper through-hole and the lower through-hole are configured to house and receive the conduit.
 17. The trailer of claim 2, wherein the drainage system further comprises: at least one top opening defined in an upper end of the drainage portion proximate to the second end of the trailer, wherein the at least one top opening is in fluid communication with the trough, and wherein the at least one top opening is configured to drain the precipitation from the trough through the trailer exterior to the interior chamber of the main body.
 18. The trailer of claim 17, wherein the drainage system further comprises: at least one opposing bottom opening defined in a lower end of the drainage portion proximate to the second end of the trailer, wherein the at least one bottom opening is configured to drain the precipitation from the upper end of the drainage portion downwardly to the lower end of the drainage portion exterior to the interior chamber of the main body.
 19. The trailer of claim 18, wherein the drainage system further comprises: a second removable false bulkhead operably engaged with the drainage portion, wherein the second false bulkhead is independent from an opposing second bulkhead of the main body.
 20. The trailer of claim 19, wherein the drainage system further comprises: a second exterior chamber defined between the second bulkhead of the main body and the second false bulkhead, wherein the second exterior chamber is in fluid communication with external environment via the at least one top opening and the at least one bottom opening, and wherein the second exterior chamber is isolated from the interior chamber of the main body.
 21. The trailer of claim 9, wherein the drainage system further comprises: a bead of epoxy operably engaging the false bulkhead with the drainage portion, wherein the bead of epoxy is adapted to prevent escapement of the precipitation
 22. The trailer of claim 1, wherein the drainage portion further comprises: a first rail operably engaged with the drainage portion, wherein the first rail is fluid communication with a first slot formed in the trough, and wherein the first rail is adapted to direct the precipitation from the trough, via the first slot, and away from the main body at a distance away the main body; and an opposing second rail operably engaged with the drainage portion, wherein the second rail is fluid communication with a second slot formed in the trough, and wherein the second rail is adapted to direct the precipitation from the trough, via the second slot, and away from the main body at the distance away the main body.
 23. A trailer, comprising: a main body having an exterior wall with a first end and an opposing second end; a bulkhead provided proximate the first end of the main body; at least one interior chamber defined by the main body and adapted to carry a load; and a drainage system provided on the trailer, said drainage system including: a drainage portion extending outwardly beyond the first end of the exterior wall, said drainage portion being adapted to direct precipitation away from the bulkhead and towards a ground surface over which the trailer travels; a trough operably engaged with the main body that extends between the first and second ends of the main body, wherein the trough is configured to hold and convey the precipitation from the main body to the drainage portion; and a removable false bulkhead operably engaged with the drainage portion, wherein the false bulkhead is independent from the bulkhead of the main body. 